Obituaries

George I. Rebman
1931 - 2012
Baldwin City

George I. Rebman, age 81, of Baldwin City, died June 19, 2012, in Lawrence, Kansas. He was born on May 25, 1931 in Harveyville, Kansas, the son of Carl F. Rebman and Bonnie (Vausbinder) Rebman.George was raised in Harveyville and Edgerton, Kansas, graduating from Edgerton High School with the class of 1949. He then attended Emporia Teachers College on a football scholarship. He left college to serve his country in the United States Army. He earned the rank of Corporal and served a tour during the Korean War as a member of Battery B of the 61st Field Artillery Battalion, First Cavalry Division.Shortly after completing his military service, George was united in marriage to Frances Cole of Gardner, Kansas on January 20, 1955. They moved to Wellsville, Kansas where they had three children. Although his first marriage ended in divorce, he always loved and maintained close contact with his children.George moved to Baldwin City in 1966 and proudly served as the Chief of Police from 1966 to 1984.On March 16, 1985, George married Anna Mae Kneedler of Baldwin City. George’s new family included Anna Mae’s three adult children, whom he loved as his own. George and Anna Mae moved to Independence, Missouri where George worked as a security officer at Lake City Ammunitions Plant in Blue Springs, and at Truman East Medical Center.After Anna Mae died on December 24, 1998, George retired and returned to Baldwin City where he lived his final years. For a short time, he served on the security team at Baker University. He was also a member of the Lion’s Club during that time.He is preceded in death by his wife Anna Mae and his parents.George is survived by three children: Linda Collins of Clatonia, Nebraska, Brenda Messer of Olathe, Kansas, and Gene Rebman of Kansas City, Missouri; three step children: Cindy Pappas, Nancy Walker, and Mike Kneedler, all of Baldwin City; one sister: Kay Wright of Baldwin City; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.Memorial funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 6, 2012, at Ives Chapel, Baldwin City. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Baldwin City.Mr. Rebman’s family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 5, 2012 at Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, Baldwin City.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Kansas State Troopers Association, or the Merle Venable Scholarship Fund through Baldwin Education Foundation. Contributions can be made c/o Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, 325 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.lamb-roberts.com.